However, accordingly to studies by Klaus Ferlow; the honorary president of Master Herbalist of Dominion Herbal College in British Columbia, the side effects of hormone replacement therapy, such as increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, blood clots and stroke, leaving many women looking for the natural option found in wild yam.

Theories / Speculation

It is believed that the diosgenin in wild yam balances a woman’s menstrual cycle and reproductive hormone. Wild Yam can lead to production of natural progesterone and also affects a woman’s estrogen levels. It adapts to what the body needs.

Diosgenin, however, cannot be converted by enzymes in the body, so instead it’s done in the scientific laboratories to make it a more absorbable, effective option.

Dosage

Since it is a herbal medicine, there is no standard in recommended dosage like prescription drugs.

It is best to follow the instructions on the product label. But for the purpose of breast enlargement or treating menopausal symptoms, recent study has shown that women who replaced their staple food with 390 grams of wild yam (2 of 3 meals a day) for the period of 30 days have experienced major increases in concentrations of estrone (26%), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (9.5%), and a near significant increase in estradiol (27%).

Wild Yam also comes in the form of a cream and should be applied to large, thin skin areas, such as the inner thighs, face, neck, upper chest or abdomen. Rotate application sites daily. Allow three months for results. Klaus says that the longer a woman uses wild yam cream, the more positive impact she will notice.

Final Words on Wild Yam

Wild yam (Dioscorea barbasco) is something that has historically been used in herbal medicine for women’s health. Some of the positive effects wild yam has include smooth muscle relaxation and a mild diuretic effect. Contrary to the information provided by the companies that produce wild yam supplements, wild yam is not converted to progesterone in the body.

This transformation can only occur in a laboratory.The body may absorb wild yam extract through the skin, which may have some effect on menopausal symptoms. Saliva and blood tests show no change in progesterone levels in the body.